At least 15 million pilgrims from Iraq and around the world flocked the holy city Of Karbala on Thursday to attend the Arbaeen commemoration.

At least 15 million pilgrims from Iraq and around the world flocked the holy city Of Karbala on Thursday to attend the Arbaeen commemoration.

Over the past 10 days, the annual commemoration ceremonies are expected to have drawn up to 15 million pilgrims braving the threat of deadly violence by insurgents targeting the faithful community in recent weeks.

Arbaeen is the 40th day of Imam Hussein’s (as) martyrdom.
"We are defying terrorism, and we are following the example of Karbala in sacrifice and redemption," said 40-year-old Mohammed Swadi, who noted that he had walked for 12 days from the southern port city of Basra for the occasion.

"This is not much when it comes to expressing our love for Imam Hussein."
Officials expect some 15 million worshippers to have passed through the city, which lies 110 kilometers south of Baghdad, by the end of the commemorations.

Among them will be around 600,000 pilgrims from 30 different countries, leaving all of the city's 700 hotels packed to the brim.